Hauling The Mail.

Well, phase 2 of the post heart attack return to trucking starts tonight.

Wrapped up my harvest 2020 grain hauling adventure on Monday. I put out a few feelers doing the week and yesterday did a road test with a small local USPS mail contractor. I passed and they said they would be in touch. The call just came and tonight I make 2 round trips between Cincinnati, Ohio and Dayton, Ohio. First run is at 1 AM and second one is at 3 AM. Turn should not take 2 hours so if second load is ready on time I should be done before 5. Run is only 37 miles each way and I live 20 min from the shop.

Should be interesting. Pay is determined by the contract, $28.51/hr but the trips pay a set number of hours. Somehow I will be getting paid for 6 hours when I should actually only be working between 4 and 5. I am trying to stay part time but given the pre Xmas rush part time may be a relative term.

That's great news, Greg! I hope everything works out for you.

Night one was a success. Of course is started raining mid trip and both backs at the Dayton Post Office turned out to be blind sides into pretty tightly spaced docks, thank goodness for day cabs with rear windows.

Truck was old, need to figure out the year. Most of them are ex R&L Transfer International day cabs with Detroit 60s. It passed my pre trip and had a current inspection sticker so I had no issues, actually was a pretty nice driving truck. All their routes fall within the 150 mile rules so no logging at all.

Not sure when my next runs will be. I only want to work 20-25 hours a week for now, wifey thinks I need to ease back into it. They have an extra one month contract for the holidays running from the bulk mail center in Cincinnati to the Dayton, Ohio airport that they may put me one. You have to take at least 3 hours to turn it but you get paid for 4. Do that trip 5-6 times a week and I will be set.

I'm glad things went well for you, Greg. My brother works in the transportation office for the post office at a processing center in Northeast Philadelphia. He wanted me to warn you that this time of year things get really, really hectic at the post office and that you may experience long delays at times.

I hope things continue to run smoothly for you.

Night one was a success. Of course is started raining mid trip and both backs at the Dayton Post Office turned out to be blind sides into pretty tightly spaced docks, thank goodness for day cabs with rear windows.

Truck was old, need to figure out the year. Most of them are ex R&L Transfer International day cabs with Detroit 60s. It passed my pre trip and had a current inspection sticker so I had no issues, actually was a pretty nice driving truck. All their routes fall within the 150 mile rules so no logging at all.

Not sure when my next runs will be. I only want to work 20-25 hours a week for now, wifey thinks I need to ease back into it. They have an extra one month contract for the holidays running from the bulk mail center in Cincinnati to the Dayton, Ohio airport that they may put me one. You have to take at least 3 hours to turn it but you get paid for 4. Do that trip 5-6 times a week and I will be set.

Glad to hear it's working well for you, fellow Buckeye! Hubby is in Vandalia, as I type; delivering to 'Chewy' .... in a dang single screw daycab! At least it's a manual; his regular ride is in the shop for B'maintenance .. of course. (Yes, the 'rearview windows' are nice, eh?!?) Is the Int'l you have a manual, or an auto? That's cool about the 150 air mile rule, for sure. You LUCKED OUT there, man.

Yep, that rain sucked.. and now we get SNOW. It's probably East of you... though. I HATE this. . . .

As a 'fall back' or a 'plan B' ... keep his place in mind, good sir. They DO part timers, as well... no weekends. (And no details, either, haha! Sorry!)

Sounds like you're bouncing back rather quickly and nicely; that's the important part.

Stay healthy and safe ~

~ Anne ~

I've been working for a USPS contractor since July of this year and it's been pretty fantastic imo. I'm now nearly done with my first semester of school, as well as almost having my credit card paid off. Not bad for full time work and 3/4 time in school

Ended up making another run last night. About 7:30 last night I got a call asking if there was any way I could make a 2:15 AM run to Dayton and back. Another driver had just decided not to come in and did not call or anything. The 2:15 was the one run they had not been able to cover. I was pretty settled in for the night but they were desperate so I said yes. Went ahead and napped till about 12:30 and headed to the shop at 1:00 AM. Of course load was not ready so I did not check out until 2:45. Made the run and was back home in bed by 5:30 AM. The pay was a 4 hour minimum.

My wife asked why I said yes so late and I told her I am going to work this just like I did at Ryder. Do everything they ask and bail them out whenever possible. Do that and within a few weeks they will be asking me what I want to do.

I have 2 runs tonight to the Dayton Airport starting at 5 PM and should be done by 11 be will be paid for 7 hours. That will put me at 16 hours for the week. They have agreed that I can only work 20-25 hours so one more day and I should be off for the rest of the week.

I agree Keith, the USPS contractor driving seems like a really good deal. I need to be part time for the next year so part time at this company works out for me. If and when I return to full time I will likely look for a bigger company. The pay is going to be about the same due to contracts so I will be looking for somewhere with some retirement plan options a hopefully a little newer equipment.

I've been working for a USPS contractor since July of this year and it's been pretty fantastic imo. I'm now nearly done with my first semester of school, as well as almost having my credit card paid off. Not bad for full time work and 3/4 time in school

Had my first encounter with a non 53 ft dry van last night. Was told my trailer was in door 60. Driving down the row I see a trailer in door 59 then what looks like a space then another trailer. I'm thinking "Great, I don't know where anything is here, I don't have a trailer number how am I going to find it. Ease up a litter farther and here is this little guy tucked in between.

I believe it was a 48 footer. No real difference in how it pulled or backed. Only issue was at the facility their fork lifts barely fit under the rollup door.